Thousands Gather for 9/11 Anniversary

More than 2,500 people gathered at the Temecula Duck Pond this evening to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the infamous day when terrorists brought down the Twin Towers in New York.

The sun was setting behind the hills as a large group of people came together to take part in the ceremony which included music, poetry and the lighting of candles.

“The City of Temecula organized the event as a way to bring people together,” said Dawn Adamiak, an organizer.

"We do something every year, but because this is the 10th anniversary we wanted to do something extra special," Adamiak explained.

People sat in lawn chairs, blankets and on benches, many wearing red white and blue. Some people held flags or had flags attached to their chairs.

“We heard about this event in one of the local papers,” said John Davis, who sat with his wife and children.

“When September 11 happened 10 years ago, we were living in Arizona. I was assigned to the Pentagon as a reservist and our phone started ringing,” Davis explained.

There were tables throughout the park where people could pick up symbolic red, white or blue candles.

One of the tables was staffed by 16-year-old Temecula Valley High School student Michael Manipon.

“I was six years old when our country was attacked. We lived on a base at Port Hueneme and I remember seeing the second plane hit the World Trade Center on television,” Manipon said.

Members of the Temecula Valley Young Marines stood guard over a symbolic wreath.

The wreath sat at the base of the "Singing in the Rain" statue that was donated to Temecula by the Netherlands on the first anniversary of the attacks.

Active Marine Sean Smothers is the commander of the Young Marines.

“I am based out of Camp Pendleton and have been to Iraq five times for Operation Enduring Freedom,” Smothers explained.

As the ceremony began, George W. Bush’s voice came over the PA system in a replay of his address to the Nation after the attacks. People stood quietly and listened to his speech.

As the speech was ending, the Great Oak High School marching band began marching single file around the perimeter of the pond.

The band stopped and gathered at the north end of the pond and began playing God Bless America. As the song was ending the crowd erupted in applause.

“I think this is just amazing. There is a real sense of unity,” said 14- year-old high school student Dannikah Healey.

Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Washington told the crowd that 10 years ago he was a pilot with Delta Airlines and wasn't scheduled to fly on 9/11. 

"My phone started ringing and my wife explained to the callers that I was home and not flying," Washington said.

After Mayor Washington gave an impassioned speech to the crowd a sixth-grader from Margarita Middle School took over the microphone to read his moving poem about the events of 9/11.

Then city officials held the wreath up in solidarity and the crowd was urged to get their candles for the candle float.

"This was a truly wonderful ceremony and I am certainly proud to be an American," resident Tamara Jones said, wiping tears from her eyes.